Hub and bearing assembly for trailers



Jan. 26, 1965 A. G. sAvlN RUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY FOR TRAILERS Filed 00t- 5, 1963 R O T N E V m ALLEN 6. SA v/N Arme/Vey United States Patent() HUB AND BEARWG ASSEMBLY FR TRAELERS Allen G. Savin, 37M Riedham Road, Shaker Heights, Cleveland, Ohio Filed st. 3, i963, Ser. No. 313,637 Ciaims. H(lill. 30h- 1) yment there are inherent disadvantages due to the use f of inner and outer bearings arranged side by side in the `wheel hub, such disadvantages including the necessity for exercising extreme care in properly adjusting each of the bearings in the wheel hub and on the axle when being installed, the inability of the wheel and its tire to properly track when the trailer is drawn over a rough or uneven surface, the inability to prevent water, sand,

`salt or the like from contacting the lubricant within the bearing, and other disadvantages, all of which are easily overcome by the present invention, and it is, therefore,

Vancbject of this invention to eliminate these disadvantages by providing a unique structure for such purpose.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a wheel hub and bearing assembly of extremely simple construction comprising a single ball bearing unit removably secured to a wheel hub and by which it is unnecessary to remove the bearing from the hub in mounting and dismounting the bearing and hub assembly on the axle shaft.

Another object of this invention is to eliminate the necessity for bearing adjustment relative to another bear- 'ring in assembling and disassembling the hub on the axle shaft.

A further object of the invention is to provide an effective seal against the admission of water or foreign matter such as salt, sand or the like into the interior of the bearing thereby preventing corruption of the lubricant in the interior of the bearing, while permitting excretion of used lubricant from the bearing and past the seals when fresh lubricant is injected into the bearing through a fitting under pressure.

Still another object of the invention is a trailer wheel comprising a hub and bearing assembly in which the bearing outer race housing is directly mounted on the wheel hub and which .may readily be dismounted therefrom by the removal of bolts connecting the same without removing the bearing from the axle shaft, or the `bearing and hub assembly as a unit and without previous adjustment may be removed from and assembled on the axle shaft by means of a jam nut and suitable washers carried on the outer end of the axle shaft. l A further object of this invention is to provide better more easily accommodate themselves to rough and uneven road surfaces by permitting only limited radial, axialr'and angular movement of the wheel hub and tire ICC assembly such as is provided by employing a single ball bearing unit to rotatably support the wheel on the axle shaft.

lStill another object of the invention is to insure selfalignment of the trailer with the vehicle towing it,

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as the following description of an embodiment thereof progresses, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

ln the drawings:

.FIGURE l is a vertical central section taken in the direction of line 1 1 of FIGURE 2 through a hub and bearing assembly shown mounted on a trailer axle shaft;

FGURE 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the hub and bearing assembly;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevation of the bearing assembly as it appears from the left in FlGURE l; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 4 4 of FGURE 3.

In carrying out my invention, I have shown the same as comprising a single ball bearing and hub assembly mounted on a trailer axle and wheel rim to support the latter in proper alignment with the axis of rotation whereby to provide better tracking characteristics in use.

Referring to the drawing and particularly FIGURE 1 thereof which is illustrative of an embodimment of my invention, a trailer axle shaft is indicated at S terminating at its outer end in an annular shoulder 6 and a bearing assembly supporting stub 7. Although I have shown a single axle application of the invention, it is to be understood that the same construction is employed 1n association with each wheel of the trailer.

The bearing and hub assembly which will be described more fully hereinafter and which includes an inner race member S is adapted to be telescoped over the axle stub 7 so that its inner circumferential end 9 abuts the shoulder 6. The stub is, of course, of reduced diameter with respect to that of the shoulder, and terminates in a threaded end l@ for receiving the flat washer l1, the lock washer 12 and the nut 13. Al hole 13' may be provided in the shaft as shown to receive a Cotter pin for preventing accidental removal of the nut 13. The washer l1 is of a diameter sufciently large to overlie the inner race outer diameter and is brought into tight engagement with the outcr end ld of the race 8 by turn' ing the nut 13 home tightly against'the lock washer and flat washer.

ln addition to the inner race 8, the bearing and hub assembly may be described as also including an outer race l5, a hub 16 embracing the bearing outer race, balls 17, a ball retainer and spacer ring 18, bearing seals i9 and 2d and seal retainer means 2l.

More specically, the inner and outer races are grooved to rotatably accommodate the balls 17 therebetween so that smooth relative rotation between the races may be maintained substantially free of the effects of axial, radial and angular stresses such as occur particularly when the trailer traverses uneven and rough terrain.

The outer race l5 preferably is press fitted within the hub, or at least has a tight t therein, its inner end 22 abutting against the inner surface of the circumferentially inwardly disposed ange 23 of the hub. The hub has a cylindrical portion 2d within which the outer race member is housed and is also provided with an outwardly extending circumferential flange 25 having a plurality of threaded openings 26 circumferentialiy spaced therearound to receive the bolts 27 operating in aligned openings 23 in the wheel 29 and by which the bearing and hub assembly is removably secured to the wheel.

The hub 16 is provided with Va lubricant fitting 30 by which a greaseY lubricant may be'injected by Way of mounting onv a rtrailer axle,` a ball bearing comprising inner and outerA ball race members, a series of balls havthe opening 31 into the interior of the bearing and the space between the races and in contact y.withthe balls. This opening overlies the annular relieved portion 32 at the inner side of the outer race.

Annular seal rings 19-and 2t), respectively, preferably of semi-rigidY material suchY as neoprene, each havingan. .annular outwardly opening channel 33 separating outerl relatively thick circumferentialv and radially disposed annular wallsr34 and 35, respectively, and an annular Wiper wall y36 integral with the wall 35 but which is ing ybearing contact with both of said races, a wheel hub formed as an annulus and` having a pair of annular radially disposedlianges.extending therefromin opposite directions, a cylindrical portion intermediate the flanges t contacting the bearing outer race member and supporting the same therein with saidiouter race in contact with one of said flanges, means formed in said otherange whereby of relatively lighter and thinner construction and thus y possesses greater resiliency and flexibility than the walls 34 and 35, are in sealing contact with the outer surface of the innerV race 8. The walls 36Vare slightly concave Y in cross. section, as illustrated in FIGURE 4f To insure such sealing contact, I provide seal retainers 21 preferably in the form of continuous resilient coiled springs located in the channels 33 and which, due to their resiliencyy and when under tension, contract inthe channels 33fand exert inward radial compressivey forces Vannularly theas'sembly may be removably secured directly to a l trailer wheel, -and means for removablyy securing the bearing assembly as a unit on a trailer axle.

' 2. In combination with a trailer wheel hub portion having an opening for the end of a trailer axle on which lthe wheel is to be mounted, a hub and bearing assembly comprising a ball bearingV unit, a hub member housing said lbearing and formed with an annular radially outalong the wiper walls 36 when installed, as in FIGURE? 4.

The Y'heavier walls V."atlbear tightly'against the annular end y,wall 37 of the ange 23 in sealing'relation;

Asa result'of this construction," thesealing rings when'vr in yplace Vfunction. effectively to prevent water, salt` and sand orother foreign matter from passing into therintetained in sealed wiping contact. with the outerY annular surface ofthe inner race by meansof the tensioned rings t 21. However, the introduction of clean lubricant through rior of the bearing. Since the heavy seal walls 34Yhave. f Y. la relatively large surface area, tight fitting contact with l the inner annular wall of the outer race andthe Vrela- Vtively thinner and more flexible wiper wall 36 is main' wardly extending portion, an inwardly radially, extending portion and an intermediate cylindricalr portion connectling said radially. extending portions for receiving and Vhousing said ball bearing unit therein, said inwardly vextending ,hub portion overlying one vend ofk the ball bearing outer race .to limitaxial kmovement thereof in "one direction, means for securing the bearing inner race on thef trailer axle,said inner racer being vof -a width appre'ciably greater, than that of the outerl race and having .engagementvat one end with'a portiongof said axle to limit axial-movement thereof inone direction,

means on the axleoverlyingfthe other end of said inner race to bind the, same securely on the axle,"the wheel hub portion adjacentA the ,mounting opening annularly overlying said outer race'oppositeend tosecurevthe same .within the hubY assembly -whenthe hub Vand bearing assemblyis mountedon the'wheel hub portion, Vand means the fitting to the interior of the bearing under pressure in suicient quantity will drive out usedtlubrircant'v inthe bearing ahead of it by forcing the latter, outwardly beil tween the wiper wall 36 and the outer Ysurface ofthe inner race against which it bears under ysuch pressure as will overcome the tension of the rings 21 seeking' normally to hold the walls 36in such sealed positionon the inner race. Such pressureisV not suicient'to force thelubricant out of the bearing past the walls 34 and 35;

The web of the wheel 29 is providedcwith an axialopening 29' through which the outer end of the axle stub 7V extends. The wall defining thisopening overlies and is in pressure contact with the outerl annular edge.'V

of the outer lrace as at 297 when the bolts or studs-127 'are tightened against 4the Wheel web; The innerfrace Y8l is anchored on the stub'axle .betweenrthershoulder vGand the overlyingwashers Vllfwhenthe nut 13 is tightened thereagainst. f

From lthe above, it will be Vseen that 'i' bearingV assembly employing my inventionprprovides. a

1 simple structure by Ywhich it is unnecessary toV remove.

1- consistingr essentially of `aV ball ,bearing anda ball bearing housing member formed with an intermediate cylindricalV vrengageable withvthe outwardly. extending hub portion and with said kwheel hub portion Vfor, removably securing them together.

3. In combination with anl axle having a shoulder inwardly of its wheel supporting end, a trailer wheel having an axiallyaperturedl bearingr and hub assembly portion, an outwardlyextending radially disposed mounting ange, and an inwardly `radially disposed annular bearing outer race'to support the said race in the bearing the wheel'from the hub as a separate operation, but that i Y the entire assembly of wheel, hub and bearing may be vremoved from the axle as a unit forreplacement or repairy bymerely removing the cotter pin, thenut 13 and off of the axle end. Y

Furthermore'fmy invention, by its simplicity4 of cone struction eliminates the need for precisionbearing Vadjust'- Y Vment when assembling the wheel on4 ther axle such as must bev done where separate inner andfou'ter bearings n are employed between the wheel and axle-fV Y By thefuseof a single bearing and hub'lassernbly/ as i disclosedherein, the ill effects of Ysubstantial'afnal; radial and 'angular-.stresses resulting fromttire or, wheel contact trailer on the surface of the roadway is insured.

I claim:V f-

l. In a trailer wheel hub and bearing assemblygrfor hub to' resist radial, axial and angular forces resulting from traction ofthe wheel over rough or uneven road surfaces, andmounting means engageable with thel bearing inner race to Vbind the said race against said axle shoulderV whereby to secure the bearing on the axle.

4. In combination with an` axle `having a shoulder VV inwardly'of its Wheelfsupportingend, a trailer Wheel 601 vthe washers 11 and 1,2 and slipping the entire assembly l having an axially apertured bearing. and hub assembly j "consistingl essentially of aV ball bearing anda ball bearing housing member formed with an intermediate' cylindrical portion,y any outwardlydextending radially disposed Y mounting ange, and an inwardly'radiallyriisposed annula'r 'wall, v said ange-andfwall ybeing"integralv with -the cylindricalfportion, saidflangeand said wheel hubv havingaxially aligned openings, meansfinsaid Vopenings )for securing the Wheel vhubandfiiange together, said wall overlying the ball ybearingV outerI race but spaced Y Y '70' .with rough'and uneven ,terrainr are*substantiallyelim-t.- .f inated and better tracking ofitheVV wheelsV andftires of the Y ,l

a'lnnularlyV frornrthe Vbearinginner race, saidfwheel hub portion ,adjacent its axial aperture overlying said flange fand bearing v'outer race toV support thefrsaid race inthe bearinghubj to .resists radial, axial. .and angular forces resultingf'from traction 4of .the wheel "over rough or uneven Hroad surfaces, and mountingy means engageable with the bearing inner race to bind the said race against said axle shoulder whereby to secure the bearing on the axle, and sealing means between the ball bearing races comprising spaced apart annularly channeled members opening outwardly on opposite sides of the ball bearing, said channels being formed with a relatively flexible integral inner annular Wall, said inner wall normally retaining lubricant within the bearing and responding to external pressures exerted thereagainst in a direction toward the bearing to seal against ingress of matter into the bearing,

5. The subject matter as in claim 2, wherein there is provided sealing means between the ball bearing races, said sealing means comprising spaced apart annularly channeled members opening outwardly on opposite sides of the ball bearing, said channels being formed with a relatively iexible integral inner annular wall, said inner wall normally retaining lubricant within the bearing and responding to external pressures exerted thereagainst in a direction toward the bearing to seal against ingress oi matter into the bearing.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner. 

3. IN COMBINATION WITH AN AXLE HAVING A SHOULDER INWARDLY OF ITS WHEEL SUPPORTING END, A TRAILER WHEEL HAVING AN AXIALLY APERTURED BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A BALL BEARING AND A BALL BEARING HOUSING MEMBER FORMED WITH AN INTERMEDIATE CYLINDRICAL PORTION, AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING RADIALLY DISPOSED MOUNTING FLANGE, AND AN INWARDLY RADIALLY DISPOSED ANNULAR WALL, SAID FLANGE AND WALL BEING INTEGRAL WITH THE CYLINDRICAL PORTION, SAID FLANGE AND SAID WHEEL HUB HAVING AXIALLY ALIGNED OPENINGS, MEANS IN SAID OPENINGS FOR SECURING THE WHEEL HUB AND FLANGE TOGETHER, SAID WALL OVERLYING THE BALL BEARING OUTER RACE BUT SPACED ANNULARLY FROM THE BEARING INNER RACE, SAID WHEEL HUB PORTION ADJACENT ITS AXIAL APERTURE OVERLYING SAID FLANGE AND BEARING OUTER RACE TO SUPPORT THE SAID RACE IN THE BEARING 